Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera’s nine-year tenure with the team came to a close on Tuesday, with team owner David Tepper saying he believed the move to be the best decision for the team’s long-term success.
The move came as a surprise for many, given that Rivera is the winningest head coach in franchise history and was dealing with considerable roster limitations this year. Star quarterback Cam Newton and standout defensive tackle Kawann Short have been out for a majority of the season. The Panthers are currently 5-7 and tied for second in the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.